Schlesinger Panel: Deterrence Chief Needed

A panel headed by former CIA director James R. Schlesinger has recommended that the Defense Department create a new leadership position in the Pentagon, which would focus on managing the armed forces nuclear weapons assets and issues. The undersecretary of defense for deterrence would share equal footing with other DoD policy agencies, and serve as the focal point for any matters relating to weapons of mass destruction, the Schlesinger task force stated on Jan. 8. "We emphasize that deterrence must start from the top," Schlesinger said.